Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Worcester, MA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Worcester

Massachusetts
104

Nashville is 6% more expensive than Worcester.

$1,486/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,415/mo ↓ 5%
$75,197/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$67,544/yr ↓ 10%
$383,100 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$339,500 ↓ 11%
$1,471/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,521/mo ↑ 3%
684,298
Population
205,501

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Worcester, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $71/month cheaper in Worcester, saving renters about $852/year.

Median household income is $7,653/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $339,500 in Worcester.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Worcester — common questions

Is Nashville or Worcester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Worcester is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Worcester?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Worcester it's $1,415/month — a difference of $71/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Worcester?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $67,544 in Worcester. Median household income is $7,653/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Massachusetts?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Worcester?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Worcester has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,415/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Worcester details →

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